Canon 300mm 2.8 is + 2x extender Vs 150-600 tam or sig

[telscossie]

Hi at the moment i am using a 300mm 2.8 is version 1 with a 2x extender for wildlife and BIF although its not a bad set up it isnt the best for focus speed in the future im looking to get a 500mm 0r 600mm prime but will have to wait a while , so what im am asking is would my setup at the moment be better than a sigma 150-600 c or tamron 150-600 g2 or would these be a better option for the time being , i would be using it on a 7d ii and 1dx v1 .

 

[BlueRay2]

Hi at the moment i am using a 300mm 2.8 is version 1 with a 2x extender for wildlife and BIF although its not a bad set up it isnt the best for focus speed in the future im looking to get a 500mm 0r 600mm prime but will have to wait a while , so what im am asking is would my setup at the moment be better than a sigma 150-600 c or tamron 150-600 g2 or would these be a better option for the time being , i would be using it on a 7d ii and 1dx v1 .

sorry, i only own a canon 300 f2.8 II, don't have any experience with rev.1 or tam 150-600 but here is a sample of canon 300 f2.8 II/ canon TC 2.0 III:







--
We are ephemeral dreamers, like surfers on evanescent waves!!!

 

[EJ Fudd]

not sure what sigma you are looking at, if its the 150-600S consider the 60-600S it has better balance

 

[Steve Balcombe]

Hi at the moment i am using a 300mm 2.8 is version 1 with a 2x extender for wildlife and BIF although its not a bad set up it isnt the best for focus speed in the future im looking to get a 500mm 0r 600mm prime but will have to wait a while , so what im am asking is would my setup at the moment be better than a sigma 150-600 c or tamron 150-600 g2 or would these be a better option for the time being , i would be using it on a 7d ii and 1dx v1 .

I had the 300/2.8L IS II with the 2x III and even with that combination AF performance was the weak point. Trouble is, despite the lack of 2x TC to slow things down, the Sigma and Tamron options are little if any better.

If you have a definite plan to go for a 500 or 600 then the best advice I can offer would be to do whatever you can to speed that up. Buying something else would just use up precious funds so it would be even longer before you get your hands on a 500 II. (The 600 II is too heavy and the 600 III is great but would take a lot longer to save for!)

 

[KiloHotelphoto]

If you know you want the big prime just keep using what you have and save up. Buying a Sigma or Tamron would just be wasting money because it’s not what you really want.

 

[BigBen08]

At one time I owned the Canon 300 2.8 version 1. When used with the 2x the AF performance and IQ took a hit. For static subjects, not so bad. But for moving subjects my keeper rate was lower that I wanted.

When I moved up to version II of this lens, and used the 2xIII, I got much better results. I feel that one of the greatest benefits of version II is how much better it works with extenders.

I also own the Sigma 150-600 C that I use with my 1DIV and 80D. Although the IQ and AF performance of the Sigma can't match the Canon great white, it's still a very good lens. I use my Sigma at air shows and got some pretty good results. I would recommend the Sigma 150-600 C. You get a nice zoom range and IQ for about $1k.

 

[Debora N]

Hi,

In response to your question, the Tamron 150-600mm is your very best route to go.

Using the multiplier will only cause you to miss out on fast shots as you are working through 2 sets of readings, rather than just one with a single lens.

The G2 is supposed to be a lot better than the first one, as the first one is what I use with my Nikon D4S, but working with multipliers and a large lens, it will really be frustrating for you.

My first choice would be, get the Tamron 150-600mm G2 instead of a multiplier or a Prime lens.

I have also owned and worked with the Nikor Prime 300 with a multiplier and it really did not improve image quality nor speed and I was eventually out of a lot of money because the multiplier eventually messed up the auto-focus on the lens, making it worthless to work with. So, don't risk your expensive equipment with multipliers. It is just a bad investment in the long run.

Definitely spend your money on the Tam G2. You will be so much happier with it and you will catch far more with it being versatile in the focal lengths. With Primes, you are always locked in and it gets to be a real pain when you have to physically move to adjust for distance out in the wild. That is never fun. Besides the fact that the Primes weigh a ton to haul around.

Hope this helps and my next long lens I will be getting is the Tam G2, myself. I use my first one all the time, but just came into a full Canon outfit and the G2 is next on my list.

You have SO many options with the G2 that you cannot get with multipliers or Primes.

Have fun!

I shot this image with my Tamron 150-600mm as we have a mating pair of Eagles here at my house. They have been here since 2014, when I first spotted them. I use my Tam 150-600 more than I do any of my other lenses. Just love it.

 

[John Crowe]

You are 3.5 years too late and the good advice given at the time contradicts yours. An EF 300/2.8 L gains IQ through either teleconverter. The EF 2x does reduce effectiveness of AF, but it can still deliver keepers.

The big superzooms can't deliver competitive IQ and the f6.3 aperture will affect AF as much as the 2x does on the 300/2.8.

Hopefully the OP waited for one of the 500/600mm primes.